From: Bernie Horn, Framing the Future: How Progressive Values Can Win Elections and Influence People (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2008), pp. 9-19

"...A realistic progressive philosophy is one that accepts our national culture of individualism and competition and—nevertheless—seeks to make the American dream accessible to all....

"...[J]ustice is the purpose of government, and in an individualistic society, balance is the means of achieving justice.

"A system in balance rewards hard work, efficiency, and innovation—which benefit all of society, and discourages crime, corruption, and schemes to game the system—which rob all of society....

"Isn't balance an awfully broad principle? How do we apply it?...

[Freedom:] “Where government has no proper role, because public action would violate individual rights, progressive policy should be based on freedom. By freedom, I mean the absence of legal interference with our fundamental rights…. Freedom should be fairly easy to understand — it’s a defense of our basic constitutional rights and civil liberties….”

[Opportunity:] “Where government acts as a referee between private, unequal interests, progressive policy should be based on opportunity. By opportunity, I mean a level playing field in social and economic affairs — fair dealings between the powerful and the less powerful, the elimination of discrimination, and a quality education for all….”

[Security:] “Where government acts to protect those who cannot reasonably protect themselves, including future generations, progressive policy should be based on security. By security, I mean protecting Americans from domestic criminals and foreign terrorists, of course, but also insuring the sick and the vulnerable, safeguarding the food we eat and products we use, and preserving our environment.”